Predictions For 2010.

First off, I would like to wish each of you a very happy new year.  I hope that 2010 is a year of joy and happiness for you.

Normally, I write down predictions for the new year, but I seldom post them.  This year, I thought it would be fun to post them so we can see how close I come.  So, without further delay, here are my predictions for 2010:

POLITICS

I predict that 2010 will be a roller coaster ride, especially for the Democrats. 

Early in the year (January or February), I believe that the Congress will pass a health care reform bill and send it to the President and he will sign it into law.   With all of the pork projects and unfair way that the costs are distributed between the states, I see it being overturned by the Supreme Court by Summer.

President Obama will continue to see his approval numbers go up-and-down, mainly down, as he tries to get a grip on the economy and the wars.  The more that the American people come to realize just how little he truly understands either subject, the lower his approval scores will go. 

The Christmas Day attempted terrorist attack tells me that the terrorist cells are still trying and are not all that intimidated by the current administration.  As much as I hate to think of it, it is very likely that there will be another successful attack on American soil before the end of 2010.  Let’s pray that I am 100% wrong on this one.

In Arizona politics, I see a brutal Republican primary.  Incumbent Governor, Jan Brewer, will face a battle to get the nomination, but I believe she will.  Once the primaries are over, it’s a toss up between Governor Brewer and Attorney General Terry Goddard for the state’s top job.  If Brewer can come out of the primary uninjured, she’ll win in November, otherwise, we’ll start 2011 with Governor Goddard.

I see 2010 as a good year for Republicans overall, if they can get on message and stay there.  Right now, people are upset with Congress and the shiny newness is wearing off of President Obama.  You can only blame the previous administration for so long before you begin to irritate the masses.  I can see the Republicans either regaining control of the House of Representatives in 2010 or, at least, making it a very closely divided chamber.  I also see more Democratic defections to the GOP as Pelosi and Reid continue to ramrod this defective health care bill through Congress.

ECONOMY

It appears that we will see a mid-year bounce in the economy.  Even housing prices may inch upward again.  This won’t be due to any of the “stimulus” programs the government is doing.  Those, by far, have been a total and complete failure.  No, this rebound will be largely due to the cyclical nature of economics and the resilient spirit of the American people. 

The real test for the housing market will be the number of forclosed houses being held in inventory by the banks.  Right now, banks are holding on to foreclosed houses because, to list them all on the market, would cause prices to plummit.  When the banks can list their inventory without fear of crippling the economy, that will be a good sign.

The push will continue you replace the USD with another international reserve currency.  It may even happen if Washington doesn’t step up and do something.  I kind of doubt it though.  That would require radical change and people, for the most part, don’t like radical change.

Well, I’ll end this article for now and post a few more predictions later.  God bless, y’all and Happy New Year!